Entry listings for Spa, round two of the Le Mans series (also the second round of the ILMC) are now available. Bolstered by the inclusion of ILMC runners, the circuit will play host to an unprecedented (at least in recent history) field of sixty entries.

Notable mentions go to the highly anticipated (albeit delayed) appearance of two Lotus Evora entries in the GTE-PRO category, along with the now customary, pre-Le Mans additional entries for Audi, Peugeot, and AMR squads in LMP1.

Entries for the Le Mans series season opener at Paul Ricard were released this week and, although sustaining late withdrawals from both LMP and GT, round one will bear a healthy grid of 34 competitors.

After months of anticipation, Aston Martin Racing has today revealed its latest generation LMP1 challenger, the AMR-One to the sportscar racing fraternity, along with its driver lineup and race programme for the 2011 season. A rapid departure from Aston Martin’s previous prototype forays, the open-top chassis marks AMR’s first purpose-built motorsport chassis since 1956.

Unlike its competitors, the AMR-One will utilise a 2.0 litre gasoline, turbo-charged, direct-injected, inline six powerplant. The car’s transmission will be supplied by X-trac, in the form of a six-speed pneumatic, semi-automatic shifting system. Front suspension has been revealed as a double A-arm design.

Despite having opted against the coupe route chosen by its competitors, the open cockpit design bears multiple semblances to both its rivals in minor ways. The first of of which, and most note-worthy, being the use of front-mounted, rear-wheel sized tyres as a means gaining additional front-end grip and corner stability through increased tyre contact.

Originally pioneered by Wirth Research on the ARX-02a, the concept has also been employed by both Audi and Peugeot on their latest generation LMP1 chassis.

Split nose design of the AMR-One. A radical departure from that of the Lola-AMR. - Image Courtesy Aston Martin Racing.

The raised/split nose design (also utilised by Peugeot) is an unexpected addition to the AMR-One. The feature, which conjures thoughts of several prototypes (both past and present), had not been an anticipated development for many.

As a result, the car’s cosmetics have already been labeled as less-desirable than its competitors. Without a basis for on-track comparisons the practicality of the design has not yet been gauged.

Another unexpected development is the use of an asymmetric cooling system. In recent times LMP constructors had primarily opted for symmetrical systems, opting for either twin side-mounted air-intakes (usually located above rear wheel archs) and, where necessary, an additional roof mounted intake.

Unlike its rivals, the AMR-One bears a single side-mounted air-intake unit. A second intake unit is mounted between the rollhoops, beside the driver’s head, and attached to the now mandatory fin adorning the car’s rear.

The AMR-One also bears what appears to be a constant (or at least minimally varying) trailing edge on its sidewalls. Which are noticeably higher than those of its rivals.

AMR also revealed details of its driver lineup for the 2011 season. Announcing the return of Stefan Mücke, Darren Turner, Adrian Fernandez, Harold Primat, and recent addition Andy Meyrick. The sixth driver, who will partner both Mücke/Turner in the 007, has not yet been revealed.

The marque also further confirmed its intentions to compete in the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Despite this, AMR will not be present at opening round of the ILMC this March, removing the Sebring 12 Hour from its 2011 schedule. Team members cited a lack of preparation as the deciding factor.

AMR will instead debut the AMR-One at the LMS season opener at Paul Ricard, on 1-3 April.

Although lacking in some areas cosmetically, the overall design of the AMR-One appears to be a melding of ideas from other successful LMP designs, along with additional AMR ingenuity. Whether the package can be deemed effective is yet to be proven.

Full-time entry listings for the 2011 Le Mans series were revealed yesterday and, despite experiencing a reduction in full-time entries, the series will boast healthy field of 36 competitors.

Although the quantity of both committed factory prototype efforts and full-season entries has seen a slight reduction over the healthy grids experienced in previous years, a development many have attributed with the introduction of the ILMC, the field will benefit from the presence of the factory-backed teams, in addition to various other efforts exclusive to the ILMC during several of the calendar’s ILMC featured events.

Having rounded out successful seasons on both sides of Atlantic with it’s HPD-branded ARX-01c chassis, Wirth Research has revealed the company’s future plans and details of the renewed partnership many endurance fans had been hoping for.

In a recent announcement Wirth Research founder, Nick Wirth revealed the firm’s desire to further build on it’s endurance successes, unveiling plans to update the highly popular ARX-o1 LMP2 design to the now ‘d’ spec phase (i.e. ARX-01d) of it’s development life.

The announcement arrives shortly after British squad, Strakka Racing confirmed their intentions for continued use of the chassis (coupled with HPD’s new 2.8L Twin-Turbo V6 powerplant) throughout the 2011 season within the LMP2 category.

Wirth also provided details of a renewed multi-year partnership with HPD, and immediately announced the firm’s intention to enter the LMP1 category under the HPD banner with a coupe design as of 2012. Further details regarding the package and programme are not yet known.

Additionally, Wirth Research will also provide a further iteration of the ARX01 chassis bearing the designation ARX-01e, updating the chassis to 2011 LMP1 specifications. The chassis is rumoured to be destined for the garage of an as yet unconfirmed US team.